Friday 2 July 2010

After the Rain plus TDF update - Part 88

Firstly the TDF (Tour de France): it starts Saturday 3rd July (Grand Start) in Holland.
Every one of the 198 riders will have his face pictured on a flag displayed at the start. After the start, the flags will be taken down, transported to Paris and raised again at the finish. It is not clear whether the flags for those who do not make it that far will be re-erected, or not!!
Prologue : Rotterdam 
Individual time-trial course over  only 8.9kms.  This is a flat and fast route with no tight corners and likely to be won by one of the speed specialists (unless Rotterdam has the rain which is forecast for late afternoon); perhaps Cancellara of Switzerland, but hopefully  Bradley Wiggins or David Millar can bring the honour to the UK.

Sunday 4 July: the first stage is over 223.5 kms from Rotterdam to Brussels. Why Brussels? To celebrate the 65th birthday of Eddy Merckx and everything he has given to cycling.

All TDF information can be found HERE.

These pictures I thought were a bit special after the rain.
I can see a Genie rising up out of a magic lamp.  What can you see?
This one is almost a shining heart.




Just a note here to say that  my  one year old digital camera (no names, no pack drill) has given up the ghost. At least thankfully it is still under warranty!!  Until Nigel arrives on 13 July with a replacement, I can only  upload from my existing stock.        Sorry,  but it's beyond my control!!.

20 comments:

  1. We must live under a different sky...I never see the sky here as beautiful as the pictures you post here on your blog.

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  2. couldn't you just kill machines sometimes... looking forward to stock photos... hope the camera behaves!!!

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  3. I love the way you have captured the sunlight shining through the clouds Diane and what beautiful flowers.

    Oh dear!! Well I hope you get a new camera soon but luckily you have pictures stored away as I do.

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  4. Bo I love different skies and just keep my eyes upwards a lot! Sometimes I see something, and if my camera is not in my hand, 1 minute later and it has changed. The same goes for my sunsets, if I suspect a good one, I don't move from the spot as I know I will miss the 30 second gap when it is perfect. Diane

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  5. longpastremembered, I was really fed up as I was in the middle of taking some really nice pictures, next thing I was taking nothing..... Diane

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  6. Hi Joan thanks for the comments. Yes lucky I have got some pictures stored away but it is very annoying to say the least. Being under guarantee I hope they just replace it. Nigel's camera is the same as mine so hope that does not play the same trick! Diane

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  7. Well I'll tell you a secret: No one does ever the same pictures even with a similar camera!! :) LOL!!
    Anyway, yours are really great, I sincerely like the poppy in particular although the others are beautiful too!
    Have a lovely WE, Diane!

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  8. Thanks Carine, I am going to be lost without my camera until Nigel arrives with his. Just now I was cooking a quiche which I thought looked quite good and realised I could take no photos! What a pain.

    I still think your pictures are superb.

    Have you seen
    http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/
    they are also very good.
    Bonne fin de semaine!
    Diane

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  9. Your pictures are always so beautiful! I am sure you have enough of your stock photos to keep us happy until you get your camera replaced but I know how frustrated you must be every time you see something you would like to photograph.

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  10. How right you are Linda, I have not been without the camera 24 hours yet and I am already fed up!!! :( Diane

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  11. Magnifiques images d'un ciel qui change tout le temps et prête à des interprétations pleine de fantaisie!
    "humming bird hawk moths" =le Moro Sphinx!
    Bonne chance pour le remplacement de l'appareil photo!
    Bon dimanche avec le retour du beau temps!

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  12. lejardindelucie, le Moro Sphinx - merci beaucoup. Diane

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  13. Shame about the camera, never mind it seems you still have plenty of shots to share with us both here and on Beautiful World. I love the poppy one in this group.

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  14. Gorgeous! Specialy the heart shaped cloud!

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  15. Hi Lindy, I also love the poppy, was thinking about putting it on BW. The camera is a real pain but.... Diane

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  16. Thanks Lani, I could look at the sky all day but I would never get any work done!! Diane

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  17. Diane - If you have not already done so by now I think the poppy is a great choice for BW.

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  18. Lindy there have been so many pictures on BW, I was seeing if they slowed up a bit. It is difficult to keep up with everything unless one has time to sit at the computer for hours. I will do it. Diane

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  19. Yes I hope it does slow down, or I think people will get bored. Maybe Firebyrd should close it to any more contributors?

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  20. Probably a good idea Lindy, but there must be other places in the world that are not contributing which would be interesting. I think maybe control the areas? I for one cannot keep up with it. I have too much to do with Nigel only here for short periods to help. I am struggling to fit in my cycling and that I do want to do.D

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